OUR CITIZEN TERRITORIAL FORCES
Sir,—As, one who has lived for over forty years in various New Zealand, and the father of ten children, i.e., five sons and five daughters, three of the former each having had the honour to give three years' war service in the interests of liberty, justice, and righteousness, may I express the hope that in the interests of the "peace of the world," every portion nf (lis British Empire will strenuously maintain and continue to train its young manhobd for defensive protection. In this respect New Zealand, in common with each Dominion of tha British Empire, must shoulder its responsibilities. The defence of one's country is the bounden duly of every young man. be he the son of the wealthy merchant, farmer, or toiler (I am one of the latter), the cost of which is a. sound and justifiable policy of national insurance and is just as essential to the well-being of our country as the cost of education. The Departments of Education and Defence each train our lads 111 the duties of citizenship and patriotism (love of country and Enmire), and inculcate the virtues of discipline, cleanliness, sacrifice, punctuality, and loyal ob?dience to recognised authority. Physical training, too, is one of the principal subiects taught in our schools and in military.camps syfd drill halls. - The 'deplorable lack of parental control and the want of interest of a large section of men and women in this oountn- to-day to. the duties pertaining to citizenship and their duties to the Statj is such a menace to the well-oemc and /*vr»iftwiient.of the social, political, intin stria!, moral and economic problems Hint confront us as a people. thM* I I'p.irtilv v-Plromn Sir .Tames Allen 6 (Minister of Defence! training scheme (wita' slieht variations) for our Senior Cadets and Territorials, which will more than anv other movement of a national char-. neter assist to develop and strengthen thise essential virtues which ■ I have referred to. and which must appeal to al' true patriots of <""■ rn«. In a- certain part, of New Zealand some few months ago it was reported in oije "f our lea-lint dnilv papers that no fewer than forty school committees were . not elected. And two \ hv-electioiis in Wellington vithm.the past nine months over fn GO electors did not record their votes. The love of ease, la7.ine«. and purely personal "iterest* nf a pleasurable nature has reached a serious stage in this young country which threatens the very ex>=tence of true home liio rind the moral fibre of our politii cal and social life, and is in a laree measure responsible for the lack of ,nte ' in municipal and national politic.. Jhe Territorial training scheme provides for sound training and teaching New Zealand's citizens of to-morrow to take an intelligent and patriotic interest in the affairs of State and Empire. Let us realise in. tvue perspective what a bitter price we have paid by the . l 0 =s of over vahiaWe lives, and the huge financial cost to the taxpayers of this country as a result of a modern war, and what our position to-day would 1-.? if Orm-my and her savnae allies hart been victorious. As a nation we have for years been asleep. Mr. Massey says: - "Never again." The "never again can only be prevented by keeping our house of State, well guarded fortifiefl during the days of peace. Not to do so will inevitably ctmrt national disaster on a. more colossal scale than tne late murderous war has been. , To me the official visit of Admiral Jellicoe to the overseas Dominions of Great Britain is significant. I_ believe such is primarily in the interests" of the peace of tho world" aiid the safety of tho British Empire. Admiral Jellicoe may have something to say to the State officials of India, Canada, South Africa, Newfoundland, Australiaj and New Zea- : land regarding the maintenance of 'their land forces, and to train their yaung meii as sailors to man their battleships to protect the seas surrounding their rospnnfivc Dominions. ''.Tie New Zealand Defence Minister's (Sir James Allen) attitude is right, and per* mit me, Sir, to just, here say that the magnificent work well done by' the Minister of Defence in the interests of New Zealand and our Empire during the whole of the war period is, I truly believe, gen-' uinely appreciated and rccognised by the people throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand to-day. Jljs years of ex-° pericnce as a Territorial oincer and Minister of Defence, and prior to the great war as Minister of Finance and Education, are such that tho citizens of loyal New Zealand may rest assured that when he advocates continued aud improved training for our Senior Cadets and Territorial Force, in the interests of our Empire and the protection of New Zealand, he has sound, reasons for doing so. 1 In conclusion. Sir, I suggest to the military authorities that the following modified periods of Territorial training would probably enable them to obtain their objects in view:— 1. Senior uaHets: 14 to IS years or tho age of leaving school. The training system as proposed by the Minister of Defence is an excellent one in every way and will .produce most beneficial results. 2. Territorials: I suggest that the years of service bo IS to 2.') years, in lieu of 18 to 25 as at present. (a) Training: First year—Eight weeks in camp in lien of sixteen proposed. Nino evening parades of two hours' duration, and nine half-day parades of three hours' duration, in lieu of twelve evening and half-day parades proposed.. (b) Training: Second and third Four weeks in camp, in lieu of ten daj'S or fortnight proposed, with ten qveniiig' and half-day parades of two hours and*' tlirea 'hours each respectively. t (c) Training: Fourth and fifth yearsTwo weeks in camp in addition to twelve evening and half-day .parades of two and threo hours each respectively.—l am, etc™ A LOYAL BRITISH WORKER..
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 249, 15 July 1919, Page 6
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995OUR CITIZEN TERRITORIAL FORCES Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 249, 15 July 1919, Page 6
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